WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
lav•ish /ˈlævɪʃ/USA pronunciation
adj.
v. [~ + object + on + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- spent, given, produced, or occurring in great amounts:a lavish serving of food.
- generous:to be lavish with one's time or money.
v. [~ + object + on + object]
- to expend or give in great amounts or without limit:to lavish gifts on one's children.
lav•ish
(lav′ish),USA pronunciation adj.
v.t.
lav′ish•er, n.
lav′ish•ly, adv.
lav′ish•ness, n.
- expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion:lavish spending.
- using or giving in great amounts;
prodigal (often fol. by of ):lavish of his time; lavish of affection.
v.t.
- to expend or give in great amounts or without limit:to lavish gifts on a person.
- Latin lavāre
- Middle French lavasse downpour of rain, derivative of laver to wash
- late Middle English lavas profusion (noun, nominal), profuse (adjective, adjectival) 1425–75
lav′ish•ly, adv.
lav′ish•ness, n.
- 1. 2. unstinted, extravagant, wasteful, improvident; generous, openhanded. Lavish, prodigal, profuse refer to that which exists in abundance and is poured out copiously. Lavish suggests (sometimes excessive) generosity and openhandedness:lavish hospitality; much too lavish.Prodigal suggests wastefulness, improvidence, and reckless impatience of restraint:a prodigal extravagance.Profuse emphasizes abundance, but may suggest overemotionalism, exaggeration, or the like:profuse thanks, compliments, apologies. 3. heap, pour; waste, squander, dissipate.
- 1. 2. niggardly.
'lavishness' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):